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Subgenders
There are 3 different subgenders in addition to Male and Female in the Wizarding world. Mages are believed to be descended from a now extinct species called Fae. The Subgenders are leftover instincts from that descension. Essentially these are sub genres of gender enable new courses of magic, more children to be born, and stronger chances of survival among offspring and in ‘mated pairs’.
Subgenders — There are technically six different types but we just limit their names to three as the general acknowledgement is that everyone knows there can be a male or female version of either. Alpha’s, Beta’s, and Omegas are the subgenders and each comes with their own separate instincts and abilities. This basis is heavily affected by magic and shapes a young mage’s life. All subgenders have a special type of pheromone that other presented individuals can magically sense that identifies both their moods and their subgender. One of the first things a newly presented individual is taught is how to control those pheromones so that they don’t force their will/give away their thoughts.
- Alpha Subgender; these individuals are considered the dominant class. Labeled in biology as Protectors, or Guards, Alphas are naturally more aggressive than the other two subgenders. Stereotypically, they take on more leadership based roles, and tend to be strongest when using offensive physical magic as opposed to more subtle mental magics. Reproduction-wise they are only capable of fathering children. Even if they are a Female Alpha they cannot bear children they can only sire them. Alpha’s also possess a type of venom that only works on their chosen mate and young pups. They can give small soothing nips/bites to their mate/pups during times of stress or upset in order to help calm them. Alpha’s also have an annual rut; this happens once a year and is a period of about a week where an Alpha’s aggression and possessiveness of their family and property temporarily heightens. The rut acts as a magical purifier and biological incentive to produce offspring. Over the course of the year, spell use builds up residue along a mage’s magical core. The more powerful the mage, the more residue that builds up and the longer the rut. A rut acts as a cleaning agent. Sending a specialized sort of ‘heated’ magic through the body to clean out any blocked or damaged magical nerves. It also drives an Alpha to be with their mate as the increased aggression and possession is almost like an aphrodisiac for them. Luckily, a sexual aspect only comes into play once they have been mated.
- Beta Subgender; these individuals are considered the mediators of the instinct side of the wizarding world. Beta’s are able to bear or sire children depending only on if they are Male or Female. Making them the most similar to muggles biologically speaking. They have the largest population of the subgender group, and while they don’t have any venom like alpha’s or signalling sounds like Omega’s, Beta’s are the only subgender that is in possession of Neutralizing Pheromones. These signals can completely remove the scents/impressions left behind by others in rooms or dens and are perfect for sterilizing a magic field or hospital ward, but also for calming out of control Alphas and Omegas. They do not have ruts or heats. Rather these guys have to meditate frequently in order to keep their magical core clean. Alpha’s ruts and omegas heats wash out their core with extreme temperatures but a Beta doesn’t have this. Instead, they are taught how to meditate to view their magical core and assess any strain or damage. All subgenders are taught this but it's especially important for Betas in order to stay healthy.
- Omega Subgender - these individuals are considered the submissive class. Labeled in biology as caregivers, or Dam’s. Omegas stereotypically tend to take on the nurturing aspect of relationships. Stereotypically; this does not mean they will always be that way. Omega’s magic is more geared towards defensive spells and mental magics. Think Patronus Charm over Cutting Curse. Omegas naturally make soft sounds or noises in the backs of their throats to signal things to family or friends. Much like a cat, they can purr, growl, hiss, and keen. Each one signifying a separate need and emotion. Unlike Alpha’s and Beta's pheromone signalling though, it is next to impossible for an Omega to control these sounds. Omega’s, like alphas, have a bi-annual heat where their temperature rises and their instincts go haywire to clean any residue off their magical core and fix any damage sustained throughout the year. Because Omega’s magic is naturally more ‘soft’ (not to be mistaken for Gentle, in this context soft means less immediately noticeable and has nothing to do with actual intent.) it can actually leave more residue on their cores. Hence why they have a heat twice a year as opposed to Alpha’s having their ruts once a year.
Presentation — The act of the body going through Magical Puberty to reveal one’s subgender. A mage reaches their magical majority at the age of seventeen, where they will experience a sudden stretch or settling of their magical core. In order to ensure this process is completed without causing harm; the body actually presents a few years earlier. Young mages Present between the ages of 14-16. Sixteen being on the very late end of the spectrum. This is done to ensure their magic settles correctly with their subgender when they reach their Majority a few years later.
- Alpha’s experience mood swings from angry to confused in the blink of an eye. As well as jaw and groin pain. They are moody and sometimes can react violently to perceived boundaries being crossed. Lots of Alpha’s also have a heightened state of extreme restlessness leading up to presentation that can develop into insomnia if not watched.
- Beta’s have mood swings and heightened magic sensitivity. But other than that they don’t get much.
- Omega’s get intense anxiety in the weeks leading up to their presentation. A constant feeling of the need to hide away and stow away food and blankets, sensitivity to sounds and smells. As well as pain in the abdomen and jaw. Omega’s also get ‘Omega Dreams’. Anxiety driven dreams that usually center around the omega being hunted or stalked by something or someone. In some Pureblood families, these dreams are believed to have prophetic tones to them.
Opposite Gender Phenomenon — The most rare occurrence, this is when a boy presents as an omega or a girl as an alpha. Because these two subgenders go so directly against their base gender, presentation is often three times as difficult. It takes longer, is more intense, and leaves the individual suffering the effects of the presentation for much longer than the normal month or so afterwards.
- Alpha Females - Have a heightened aggression indicator than Male ones and tend to have bi-annual ruts rather than annual ruts. They can Sire children but cannot bear any children. And they can only sire a child during their Rut.
- Omega Males - Have a heightened awareness of pack loyalties and soul bonds and connections as well as extremely heightened omegan instincts. They have bi-annual heats like normal omegas, but can only get pregnant during a heat rather than at any time like a female omega. Unlike a female Omega, it is 100% guaranteed they will get pregnant if they mate with their bonded alpha during a heat.
School Timeline
1st Year — Philosophers Stone
- 11 years old
2nd Year — Chamber of Secrets
- 12 Years old
- Basilisk venom embedded in bone, chronic pain in right arm.
3rd Year — Prisoner of Azkaban
- 13 years old
4th Year — Goblet of Fire
- 14 years old
- Cruciatus curse tremors; will last up to two years with no treatment.
- Painful scarring from a silver knife wound on left hand, skin is tight and throbs when Harry moves too quick or when it's cold outside.
5th Year — Order of the Phoenix
- 15 Years old
- AU starts here; starts about a week before Harry turns 15.
- Scarring on right hand from Umbridge, hyper sensitivity to blood quills in future.